Solu Cortef Side Effects, and Drug Interactions - Hydrocortisone sodium succinate

SIDE EFFECTS

Fluid and Electrolyte Disturbances

Sodium retention

Fluid retention

Congestive heart failure in susceptible patients

Potassium loss

Hypokalemic alkalosis

Hypertension

Musculoskeletal

Muscle weakness

Steroid myopathy

Loss of muscle mass

Osteoporosis

Tendon rupture, particularly of the Achilles tendon

Vertebral compression fractures

Aseptic necrosis of femoral

and humeral heads

Pathologic fracture of long bones

Gastrointestinal

Peptic ulcer with possible perforation and hemorrhage Pancreatitis Abdominal distention Ulcerative esophagitis

Increases in alanine transaminase (ALT, SGPT), aspartate transaminase (AST, SGOT) and alkaline phosphatase have been observed following corticosteroid treatment. These changes are usually small, not associated with any clinical syndrome and are reversible upon discontinuation.

Dermatologic

Impaired wound healing

Thin fragile skin

Petechiae and ecchymoses

Facial erythema

Increased sweating

May suppress reactions to skin tests

Neurological

Convulsions

Increased intracranial pressure

with papilledema (pseudotumor

cerebri) usually after treatment

Vertigo

Headache

Endocrine

Menstrual irregularities

Development of Cushingoid state

Suppression of growth in children

Secondary adrenocortical and

pituitary unresponsiveness,

particularly in times of stress, as

in trauma, surgery, or illness

Decreased carbohydrate tolerance

Manifestations of latent diabetes

mellitus

Increased requirements of insulin

or oral hypoglycemic agents in

diabetics

Ophthalmic

Posterior subcapsular cataracts

Increased intraocular pressure

Glaucoma

Exophthalmos

Metabolic

Negative nitrogen balance due to protein catabolism

The following additional reactions are related to parenteral corticosteroid therapy:

Allergic, anaphylactic or other hypersensitivity reactions

Hyperpigmentation or

hypopigmentation

Subcutaneous and cutaneous

atrophy

Sterile abscess